With extreme fluctuations in the environment, it’s near impossible to remain unaffected by the implications of climate change. The practice of sustainability has risen to the forefront of solutions and adaptations for the many communities whose livelihoods and day-to-day life have been affected. Whether it’s waterfront communities dealing with rising water levels, farmers figuring out ways to more efficiently preserve, use, and adapt resources, or Indigenous communities incorporating the three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, societal) to sustain long-held tradition, the common ingredient is to make the response an ongoing practice.

1. Summarize the response in the Reasons To Be Cheerful piece. What social problem is the Quapaw tribe trying to solve?

2. How does the offset program described in the MIT Technology Review article work? What are the main limitations of the program and how are they being addressed?

3. Describe the challenges that exist in scaling the House for Trees program. Could it be scaled outside of Vietnam?

4. Analyze how the Indigenous food sovereignty movement described in Civil Eats has been effective in its mission. Do you think a similar approach could be used in other places? Describe why or why not.

5. Bonus question for educators: How have these stories changed your perspective about businesses taking on sustainability? Do you think businesses have done a good job at being more environmentally friendly? Why or why not? What still needs to be done?

Tips for journalists:

For business and sustainability stories, remember that some people have strong feelings about the role corporations play in the environment. It can be useful for journalists to “complicate the narrative” when interviewing a source to get at the heart of why they feel a certain way. Use the “22 Questions that ‘Complicate the Narrative’” linked to this collection to help you elicit more candid and complete answers from your sources.

Remember to ask yourself or your sources: “Who have I not talked to?” Make sure you talk to everyone who could potentially be affected by an organization’s or business’ sustainability plan, especially BIPOC communities, local residents, or workers.

Tips for journalists:

• For business and sustainability stories, remember that some people have strong feelings about the role corporations play in the environment. It can be useful for journalists to “complicate the narrative” when interviewing a source to get at the heart of why they feel a certain way. Use the “22 Questions that ‘Complicate the Narrative’” linked to this collection to help you elicit more candid and complete answers from your sources.
• Remember to ask yourself or your sources: “Who have I not talked to?” Make sure you talk to everyone who could potentially be affected by an organization’s or business’ sustainability plan, especially BIPOC communities, local residents, or workers.